Pressure pad with independent cells



yJuly 30, 1968 B.A. PARKER l PRESSURE PAD WITH INDEPENDENT CELLS FiledApril 6.

2 Sheets-Sheet l Buster A. Parker INVENTOR W 5 Anm-.nefs

July 30, 1968 x a. A. PARKER 3,394,415

PRESSURE PAD WITH INDEPENDENT CELLS Filed April 6, 1966 2 Sheets-Sheet 2Buster A. Par/rer I N VEN TO R United States Patent O 3,394,415 PRESSUREPAD Vl/HTH NDEPENDENT CELLS Buster A. Parker, 8612 Sierra Uval,

Parma, Ohio 44130 Filed' Apr. 6, 1966, Ser. No. 540,669 7 Claims. (Cl.5-34S) ABSTRACT F THE DlSCLOSURE An alternating pressure pad for bedfastpatients defined by a plurality of independent side-by-side cells ortubes which are alternately inflated and deflated and arranged ininterdigitated sets. A strap assembly retains the cells in side-by-siderelation without forming a bridging support across the top of the cellsand a heel supporting tube is provided across the upper surface of thepad. The dimensional characteristics of the cells and the mechanicalassociational relationship thereof is such that they will prevent apatient from bottoming against an underlying mattress in the areabetween the inflated cells with the cell surface conforming to thepatients body contour thus given even support by enabling a lowerpressure to be employed.

The present invention generally relates to an air mattress or pad foruse under bedfast patients by which the pressure points where thepatients body engages a mattress are eliminated thereby eliminatingbedsores due to such pressure points, and materially increasing thecomfort and well being of the patient.

It is well known that pressure sores or bedsores occur on bedfastpatients. These sores occur ybecause weight of the patient collapses theblood vessels between the patients lbony protuberances or prominencesand the mattress thus preventing adequate blood flow thus starving thetissue. Many efforts have been made to alleviate this problem. Forexample, a common practice is to turn the patient but from a practicalstandpoint, this is substantially physically and economically impossibleinsofar as providing satisfactory relief is concerned. Various topicalapplications such as ointments, solutions and the like have beenprovided for the treatment of pressure sores but while they Vassist inhealing, they in no way correct the cause, that is, the pressure whichprevents blood circulation.

The present invention relates to an improved device which has been foundmost satisfactory to correct the cause of the problem and includes analternating pressure pad. Such pads presently are composed of two setsof air cells together with an air compressor or pump with suitablepressure controls and operating mechanism for alternating inflating anddeilating the sets of coils so that pressure is removed from the body inthe area between the inflated cells. While such pads are very helpful,certain limitations and deficiencies exist in presently availablealternating pressure pads.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide analternating pressure pad which includes alternately inflated anddeflated cells in which the individual cells are completely independentand separate from each other with the independent cells beingmechanically retained generally in side-by-side relation to provide apad covering substantially the complete area of a bed.

From an inspection of the previously known products such as 4illustratedin Rand Patent No. 2,719,986, issued Oct. 11, 1955 and Grant No.3,199,124, issued Aug. 1965, it will be noted that currently availablepads basically include two sheets of polyvinyl chloride plastic filmsealed together to form the proper channels or cells into which the airis pumped. In these devices, the cells are approximately 2" wide whencollapsed and approximately 3,394,1ll5 Patented July 30, 1968 1% indiameter when inflated. In the Grant Patent 3,199,124, the heel cells atthe foot end of the pad are reduced to approximately one half thestandard diameter since it is well known that the heels are unusuallysusceptible to pressure sores and special care must be given to them.

One manufacturer in this field asserts that a heel of a patient willbridge between two cells that are about .637 in diameter when theintervening cell is deflated. Noting that the seal between the cells is.125 wide and that this seal holds the heel cells apart as well as in aflattened rather than true cylindrical shape, it will be recognized thatthe heels of most patients receive very little benefit from the heelcells. It is also noted that the standard diameter of 11A of the cellsare also spaced apart .125. It has been found that in order to supportor float a patient on the alternately inflated cells, an air pressure of8O to 100 mm. of mercury must be employed. If less pressure is employed,the bony protuberances or prominences such as the shoulder blades or thecoccyx will bottom on the mattress between the inflated cells or becausethe cell is only 11A in diameter, these protrusions may push an inflatedcell flat as well as the adjoining uninflated area. Higher pressures inthis diameter cell are sometimes used for correcting this problem butthe cells then become unbearably hard.

Another essential arrangement is the orientation of the air cellslongitudinally of the patient since transverse cells have been found todam the venous return. Also, as the cells inflate, they reduce themeasurement of the pad perpendicular to the cell extension while theintegral manifold feeding the cells resists this reduction thus causingpad distortion. This distortion or humping of the pad is oftendisturbing and uncomfortable to the patients.

Also, inasmuch as these pads are constructed of a vinyl materialcontaining volatile plasticizers, they will become brittle and otherwisedeteriorate thus causing failure due to a leakage. While pinholes can bepatched, the commonly occurring seam splits cannot be and it isimpractical but necessary to return the mattress to the manufacturer tohave repairs made.

In view of the limitations and deficiencies in presently availableequipment as outlined above, it is a primary object of the presentinvention to provide an alternating pressure relieving pad whichinvolves the use of completely independent cells which are disposed inside-byside relation and communicated with a pair of manifolds at oneend thereof which are communicated with a source of alternatinginflating pressure and deflation of one set of cells in which theindependent cells are free of each other substantially throughout theirlength and which are constructed with a diameter sufllcient to enableless pressure to be employed for cradling and receiving the prominencesof the patients body for supportingly engaging more of the surface areathereof and preventing bottoming of the bony prominence against theunderlying hospital bed mattress.

A further object of the present invention is to provide an alternatingpressure pad constructed of separate air tubes held together by straparrangements so that in the event one of the tubes or cells ispunctured, it only requires that this one cell or tube be easilyreplaced without necessitating the return of the pad to the manufacturerthus eliminating any possibility of workmen being contaminated bydiseases or the like which could be conveyed to the manufacturing planton the returned mattress. lt is a simple matter to disconnect a damagedcell and replace it with a new cell since this may be done withoutremoving the pad from the bed and causing minimal disturbance to thepatient and with a very small cost in time and material used.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide analternating pressure pad having independent cells interconnected by astrap structure which also serves to retain the pad in place on ahospital bed mattress or the like and which is extremely simple inconstruction, long pasting and durable, easy to repair by replacingindependent cells, effective for the purposes of relieving pressurepoints and preventing bedsores and still relatively inexpensive tomanufacture.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the pressure pad of the present inventioninstalled on a mattress such as that employed on a hospital bed;

FIGURE 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of the pressure padillustrating its relationship to the mattress and taken substantially ona longitudinal section line;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken substantially along section line 3 3of FIGURE 2 illustrating the association of the end strap with the loopsformed in the ends of the independent cells;

FIGURE 4 is a transverse sectional view taken substantially upon a planepassing along section line 4 4 of FIGURE 2 illustrating the intermediateretaining strap and its association with the independent cells or tubesand the mattress;

FIGURE 5 is a sectional view taken along section line 5 5 of FIGURE 2illustrating the heel supporting structure and its association with theindependent cells;

FIGURE 6 is a detailed sectional view taken generally along section line6 6 of FIGURE l illustrating the specific construction of the connectingassembly employed between the manifold and one of the air tubes;

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmental sectional view illustrating theassociation of the deflated tubes and the inflated tubes; and

FIGURE 8 is a detailed sectional view of another arrangement foranchoring the head ends of the tubes.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, the alternating pressure padof the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 10 andis illustrated as being mounted on a conventional mattress structuresuch as that employed in a hospital bed and supported by a springassembly 14 supported from a peripheral frame i6 which in turn issupported from a headboard 18 and a footboard 20 of conventionalconstruction. The alternating air pressure pad may be supported on aconventional hospital bed or on any other type of bed.

The pad 10 includes two sets of air tubes or air cells and for purposesof description are designated by numerals 22 and 24 with it beingunderstood that the tubes or cells are identical in construction andadjacent tubes or cells are alternately inflated and deflated. Asillustrated in FIGURE 7, the cells 22 are inflated while the cells 24are deflated and as illustrated in that figure and in other figures ofthe drawings, the cells or tubes 22 and 24 are independent of each otherthroughout their longitudinal length.

For retaining the tubes or cells 22 and 24 in an assembled pad, one 0rmore retaining strap assemblies 26 are employed. Each retaining strapassembly includes an elongated strap member 28 of flexible materialwhich extends across the mattress 12 and includes downwardly extendingportions 30 which extend under the mattress 12 and are secured togetherby buckles 32. Attached to the strap 28 is a plurality of retainingstraps 34 which are of inverted U-shaped configuration for extendingover and around the periphery of the cells 22 and 24 as illustrated inFIGURE 4. The straps 34 may be of the same material as the tubes andwill collapse with the tubes when the tubes such as tubes 24 arecollapsed. The straps 34 snugly embrace the inflated tubes 22 and 24 andare relatively thin and actually press into the cell surface s0 that noprojections are formed on the top surface of the pad. When one of thetubes 22 and 24 is to be removed, it will be deflated and may be removedlongitudinally through the loops formed by the straps 34 attached to thestrap 23. The strap 2S may terminate at the top corners of the mattress12 except when unusual bed positions must be employed. While there havebeen two rctaining strap assemblies 26 illustrated, more or less of theretaining strap assemblies may be employed if desired.

The head ends of the tubes 22 and 24 are closed by doubling the end ofthe tube into a loop 36 and tying it to itself by the use of a knot 38so that each tube has a loop 36 formed on the head end thereof. Aretaining strap 4l) extends through the loops 36 and has the endsthereof extending downwardly alongside of the mattress as at 42 and thenextending under the mattress as at 44 with the ends thereof beingsuitably interconnected by a suitable buckle or the like. At a pluralityof points on the strap 40, end straps 46 are attached which extendaround the end of the mattress 12 as illustrated at 48 with the ends ofthe end straps 46 being attached to the underlying portion of the strap40 by suitable stitching 50 or the like. As illustrated in FIGURE 3, asuitable buckle or hook device 52 may be provided for connecting theends of the underlying portion 44 of the strap 4t) together thuspreventing longitudinal movement of the pad 10 when the mattress 12 isfolded or elevated when the device is used on a hospital bed or thelike.

Extending transversely of the pad 10 adjacent the foot end thereof,there is provided a transversely extending heel raising tube 54 whichhas a loop S6 formed on one end thereof for looping around the outermosttube 22 at one edge of the pad. The loop S6 is formed by securing aportion of the terminal end portion of the tube 54 to itself as at 58 byheat sealing or by employing a knot or the like. The other end of thetube 54 is provided with a tube 60 which extends between adjacent airtubes or cells 22 and 24 and under the outermost air tube or cell 22remote from the other outermost air cell or tube 22 as illustrated inFIGURE 5. The tube 54 may be moved longitudinally of the pad and isplaced under the patients ankles. By alternately inflating and deflatingthe tube 54 it will lift the heel thus permitting adequate blood flow tothe critical heel area. A unique advantage of the separate heelprotecting cell is the fact that it can be moved toward the head or footof the bed as necessary to fit short or tall patients.

Each of the tubes 22 and 24 is connected to a manifold 62 and 64respectively with one of the manifolds such as the manifold 62 havingthe tube 60 to the heel raising cell 54 communicated therewith. Themanifold 62 is also a plastic tube having smaller tubes or sleeves 66integral therewith for receiving a tubular connector 68y which has alarger diameter area 70 received in the neck 72 of the tube 22. Bothportions of the connector 63 are provided with peripheral serrations 74which are inclined towards the longitudinal center of the connector 68.The serrations 74 on the larger diameter area 70 receive and retainliquied surface hardenable sealant 76 and a pair of spaced rings 78 inthe form of split spring rings encircle the neck 72 in spaced relationto retain at least the central portion of the sealant 76 in a fluid orliquid condition. The sleeve 66 and a single or pair of spring rings isprovided for anchoring the connector 68 in the sleeve 66 in a sealedmanner. The split spring rings may be easily removed by a suitable tooland in order to prevent any possible entanglement of the bedcloths withthe split rings, a sealing tape may be positioned over the split springrings which are constructed of spring steel or the like. T'he air tubes22, of course, are of the same diameter throughout their length and aregathered around the enlarged end portion 70 of the connector 68 with thefluid filler or sealant 76 serving to completely fill and seal anycrevices which would permit leakage of air thus providing a positiveseal and yet one which is easily formed.

The cells or tubes 22 and 24 are alternately inflated and deflated froman air compressor and control assembly generally designated by numeral80 which is mounted on the footboard 20 in any suitable manner such asby a spring clip assembly `82. The details of the air compressor andcontrol assembly 80 forms no particular part of the invention disclosedin this application but it does include a male plug an-d electricalconductor 84 so that it can be plugged into any suitable electricaloutlet. In addition, there is provided a pair of tubes 86 and 88 whic'hare connected to the manifolds 62 and 64 respectively for alternatelyinflating and deflating the sets of cells or tubes 22 and 24. The airwhich egresses from the deflating cells is discharged through a thirdtube 90 which discharges to an underpad disposed bel-ow the alternatingpressure pad and which also is not specifically disclosed in thisapplication.

In operation, the a-ir compressor and control assembly 80 willalternately inflate one set of cells 22 while deflating or exhaustingair from the other set of cells 24 and then subsequently inflate the setof cells 24 and deflate the cells 22 in a manner where the inflatedcells 22 are not deflated until such time as the deflated set of cells24 have been fully inflated. In the drawings, all of the cells have beenshown inflated except for FIGURE 7 where the relationship of t'he cellsis illustrated.

One of the unique advantages of the pad of this invention is itscapability of inflation and deflation without -pad distortion and thedeflated cell is independent of the inflated cell so that the deflatedcell will not become taut between adjacent inflated cells and thuscontinue to form a pressure point against the patients body. Also, asindicated in FIGURE 7, the air tubes or cells may flex downwardly toconform with bony prominences of the patients body thus supportinglyengaging a larger area of the patients body while yet spacing thepatients body from any pressure engagement with the underlying mattressthereby enabling a lower pressure to be employed in floatinglysupporting a patient due to the larger diameter of the tubes which maybe approximately two inches. The pad is constructed of a film which maybe considered a nonplasticizing lm such as Ultrathene which preventsplastic deterioration due to aging or temperature elevation.

FIGURE 8 illustrates a modified anchoring structure which may be used atthe head end -of the tubes or cells 22 and 24 in lieu of the loops andknots and also in lieu of the loop 56 on the end of the heel raisingtube 54. This structure includes a tube 92 which is gathered around andsealingly connected to a connector 94 by spring rings 96 and sealant 98similar to the connector in FIGURE 6. Disposed in the connector 94 is awire anchor 100 sealed into the connector by surface hardenable sealant102. The inner end of the wire anchor 100 is provided with a retainingloop 104 which is also covered by the sealant thus preventing leakagearound the wire anchor 100. The outer end -of the wire anchor isreversely bent to form a hook or clip 106 closely overlying the serratedreduced end portion of connector 94 for releasably securing a flexibleanchor strap or tie strap 108 thereunder for securing the strap to theend of the tube so that the tubes 22 and 24 may be anchored to themattress and tube 54 secured to the pad.

Pressure pads from their inception approximately l5 years ago have beendesigned with tubes not in excess of 1%." in diameter when inflated.When such small diameter tubes are used, it is necessary to inflate themto over 80 mm. of mercury pressure to prevent most patients frombottoming on the mattress in the areabetween the inflated tubes. Thesehigh pressures still do not prevent some patients from bottoming andthey also increase tube hardness to such an extent that all patientsfind them uncomfortable. In order to prevent bottoming of all patientsand to maintain supporting contact between the cell and body throughouttheir adjacent length, a cell diameter of at least 11/2 is necessary.Small diameter cells can prevent bottoming if sufliciently highpressures are used but the cell becomes so stiff that supporting contactthroughout the adjacent length of the cell and body is not possible.

The independent tubes enable assembly thereof from tubular materialwhich may be commercially obtained in whatever length desired or may beobtained in roll form and severed into desired lengths thereby enablingthe overall length of the pad to be varied depending upon the individualneeds. This construction also enables ease of replacement of theindividual tubes. The independence of the tubes from each other providesa breathing action for the patient, that is, there is a capability ofair passing between the tubes substantially throughout the entire lengththereof which is not possible with the presently available pads. Byincreasing the diameter of the cells to 1% in diameter when inflated,the depth of the air cushion is increased thereby allowing a lower airpressure to be used which permits supporting contact of the cell withthe body over substantially its total length. Due to the increased depthof the air cushion, the bony protuberances may extend further below themeans supporting level of the inflated cell before bottoming on themattress. The combination of lower air pressure and deeper air cushionpermits the cell to conform to the body shape resulting in a more evenlydistributed and larger area of supporting contact. This also results ina far more comfortable pad for the patients.

When the large diameter and independent tubes are used, the alternateinflation and deflation of adjacent tubes produces an air circulationunder the patient. As will be apparent in FIGURE 7, the air above thedeflated tubes 24 will be displaced as they are inflated andcorrespondingly when the inflated tubes 22 are deflated, fresh coolingdry air will then flow into the area previously occupied by the inflatedtubes. This not only adds to the patients comfort but more importantlyhelps to keep the weeping pressure sores dry and materially reducesrecovery time.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modications and equivalents maybe resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention as claimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. An alternating pressure pad comprising a plurality of flexible,imperforate tubes orientated in side-by-side relation throughout theirlength, said tubes being completely free of each other throughout theirlength and exposed directly to a patient thereby defining a completelyunobstructed top surface to directly supportingly engage a patient,means communicated with one end of said tubes for enabling alternateinflation and deflation of interdigitated sets of tubes, means connectedadjacent tubes along a small portion of the length thereof for retainingthe tubes in side-by-side relation, said means leaving the major portionof the upper periphery of the tubes free of restriction and enablinglateral deflection of the upper portion of the tube when supportinglyconforming with the body Iof a patient.

2. The structure as defined in claim 1 together with a heel raising tubeextending transversely of the side-byside tubes and being adjustablelongitudinally thereof for alternately elevating the heels of a patientfrom contact with the pad.

3. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein each of said tubes is inthe form of a flexible tubular member having a loop formed in one endthereof, and retaining means extending through the loops for retainingthe tubes in side-by-side relation.

4. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said means connected toadjacent tubes includes a relatively narrow strap extending transverselyof the tubes in underlying relation thereto, and narrow retaining loopsof liexible material connected with the strap and extending over the topof each tube for retaining the tube against the strap and enablinglateral deflection of the tube whereby the loops are commensurate withthe tubes as to tieX- ibility and supporting engagement with the body ofthe patient.

5. The structure as dened in claim 3 wherein said retaining meansincludes end straps adapted to engage the the end of a mattress toprevent movement of the pad in relation to a mattress.

6. The structure as defined in claim 1 wherein said tubes having adiameter forming an air cushion when inflated of suicient depth tomaintain supporting Contact substantially throughout adjacent length ofthe cell and body of the patient.

7. The structure as defined in claim 6 wherein said tubes have adiameter of not less than 1%." when inated with the air pressure beingnot in excess of 60 mm. of mercury.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 640,985 1/1900 Aylmer 5-348 X1,456,207 5/1923 Adamski 5-348 X 1,772,310 8/1930 Hart 5-348 X 2,998,8179/1961 Armstrong 5-349 X 3,008,465 11/1961 Gal 5--60 X 3,288,133 11/1966Little 5-349 X 3,303,518 2/1967 Ingram 5-349 2,819,712 1/1958 Morrison5-348 X FOREIGN PATENTS 1,023,097 3/ 1966 Great Britain.

20 BOBBY R. GAY, Primary Examiner.

A. M. CALVERT, Assistant Examiner.

